SINGAPORE (AFP) – Crude edged higher in Asian trade Thursday on supply concerns following escalating violence in oil-producer South Sudan, but gains were capped as dealers sat on the sidelines awaiting fresh leads after the festive season.
New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, was up 13 cents at $99.35 in afternoon trade while Brent North Sea crude for February gained 17 cents to $112.07.
Sanjeev Gupta, head of the Asia-Pacific oil and gas practice at consultancy firm EY, said oil prices were being supported by “fears of disruptions in supply from South Sudan”.
But “markets are likely to remain range-bound till the release of new economic data during the first of week of 2014″, he said.
Violence in South Sudan, a fledgling oil producer, escalated Wednesday as its army battled rebel forces in a key oil-producing state, while the United Nations moved to double its peacekeeping force to stave off civil war.
Thousands are believed to have been killed in more than a week of violence pitting troops loyal to President Salva Kiir against those backing his rival Riek Machar, a former vice president who was sacked in July.
Oil production, which accounts for more than 95 percent of South Sudan’s economy, has been dented by the violence, with oil workers evacuated last week.
The escalating violence has added to concerns about a disruption in global supply, following the continued curtailment of output from OPEC member Libya due to a months-long blockade of crucial terminals in the eastern part of the country.
Investors are also awaiting the weekly US oil inventories report to be released Friday for clues about US demand.
Analysts project US supplies fell 2.2 million barrels, according to a survey by the Wall Street Journal.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Onitsha (Anambra) – Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, the Archbishop of the Catholic Arch-Diocese of Onitsha, has predicted that 2014 will be a year full of greater achievements for the country.
Okeke said this on Christmas Day while speaking to newsmen after a mass he held at the Onitsha Prisons Chaplain, in Anambra.
He noted that Nigerians should strive to promote fairness, justice and equity to achieve the greatness God had destined for the country.
”I see hope and greater Nigeria. 2014 is very promising.
”If we do well and prepare well; we will continue to match to our promised land.
”And I know that Nigeria can be greater than what it is today; if we bring ourselves and minds together to work for the greatness of this country,” he said.
The cleric, who urged Nigerians to shun corruption, deceitful acts and terror, also said they should not make themselves security threats to their neighbourhood and country.
”Nigerians should strive to bring solution to the challenges of the country,” he said.
The archbishop noted that on Christmas Day, ” Christ is love and light that will chase away all forms of fear and horror; while bringing lasting peace to individual, community and country.
”For this sake, let all that call on His name shun all forms of wickedness, vices and greed, but rather work for the common good of mankind,” he said.
Rev. Fr. Pius Nwankwo, Chaplain in-charge of Onitsha Prisons, thanked the archbishop for coming to the prison three times this year.
Mr Azuka Ndupu, Deputy Controller of Prisons in-charge of Onitsha Prisons, thanked the archbishop for his concern for the prisons and its inmates.
”I will urge the inmates to stay here with humility and the fear of God; since your stay here is not forever. It is a temporary stay,” Ndupu said.
The archbishop donated N500,000 for the renovation of part of the prison, while promising to give more if the money was exhausted.
The items the archbishop donated to the inmates for Christmas included, cartoons of biscuits, toilet soap, laundry soap, toothpaste, pomade and detergent, among others
Also archbishop killed a cow for the inmates and gave them seven bags of rice to celebrate Christmas.
Meanwhile, the archbishop has promised to contact Gov. Peter Obi and other personalities in Onitsha to obtain a bus for the prison.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
UGHELLI-THE people of Niger Delta under the aegis of Niger Delta for Peace, Credible and Visionary Leadership, has berated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal for accusing President Goodluck Jonathan of aiding corruption in the country.
National President King Prebor (Snr) who stated this while chatting with newsmen, described the comment as hypocritic and self serving, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan was doing well in his crusade against corruption.
He held that; “it is the duty of every Nigerian to wage war against corruption and corrupt practices. The President alone cannot fight corruption.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
KANO – Kano state Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has presented an aggregate Budget of N219, 281,273,481 for the 2014 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
Tagged “Budget of Consolidation”, the proposed 2014 appropriation bill is slightly lower than the 2013 budget with N19.2billion, which translates to 8%..
In a two hours presentation Tuesday night, Governor Kwankwaso described the appropriation bill as a balance budget with revenue matching the same expenditure.
Kwankwaso stated that the 2014 budget has a projected recurrent revenue N126, 960,422,861 and capital receipt of N81, 526,211,850. It also has a recurrent allocation of N70, 621,425,720 and capital estimates of N148, 659,847,767, stressing that “this represents a total of 68% capital and 32% recurrent estimate”.
He disclosed that the direction of the 2014 budget will remain on the Infrastructural development, aggressive revenue generation and strategic exit from debt finance by expanding and exploiting our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) potentials.
The Governor revealed that 2014 appropriation bill would also focused on Youth/Women empowerment through capacity building and wealth creation, adding that Health and educational development, Development of the real sector of the economy, Continuation/strengthening of expenditure rationalization, Strategic partnership between State and Local Government to finance long-term investment are all part policy direction of the proposed bill.
Governor Kwankwaso stressed that the bill would also focused on expanding and strengthening our investment profiles to discourage conspicuous consumption for better tomorrow. ,
Kwankwaso noted that “our administration does not contemplate abandoning any of the on-going capital projects in view of the enormous resources already committed to establishing them. We owe it a duty to ensure prudent and judicious expending of the State resources and completing these projects in due course.”
In his response, the Speaker of the Kano House of Assembly, Alhaji Gambo Salau while apluding the bill promised on behalf of his colleague to give accelerated hearing “to allow Kano enjoy the good package”.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Lagos – Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Lagos State, on Wednesday, said the commission would not stagger the 2015 general elections to avoid the problems encountered in Anambra.
In an interview Ogunmola said that the problem associated with that election was a blessing in disguise.
The INEC boss was reacting to calls by some sections of the society to stagger the 2015 elections.
“We are not staggering elections in 2015; having problems in Anambra does not mean that we will not be able to handle the 36 states of the federation plus the FCT.
“In fact, it is going to be a lot easier for us. But, I want to say that I see the problem associated with Anambra election as a blessing in disguise because we were thinking that it was going to be error-proof.
“And that would have made us to be a little bit complacent, thinking that everything is okay.
“We see this as an eye opener and it has compelled us to crosscheck our crossed T’s and dotted I’s again.
“Beyond that, we need to also point out that there is the problem of the people, who constitute electorate, being nonchalant about checking their names during display.’’
On voter register, Ogunmola said that the commission had commenced de-duplication of double registrants ahead of 2015.
He disclosed that the number of registered voters in Lagos would drop.
“The figure for Lagos is going to drop because double registration will be removed and when we display, people will now be able to see whether their names are still there or not,’’ he said.
Ogunmola gave the electorate the assurance that continuous voter registration would afford them the opportunity to register so that their data would be recorded.
He said those who registered twice following the commission’s own instructions to them would not be penalised and would be given the opportunity of registering normally so as to capture their full details.
On voter apathy, the commissioner argued that it would not solely be the responsibility of INEC to remove apathy as witnessed in Anambra.
“The contestants and the parties are the ones looking for votes, so they should also be involved in mobilising people for election,’’ he said.
Ogunmola however gave the commission’s to do its best noting that “most of the funds we demand for election are spent on training and educating our officers on how to enlighten the people’’.
“That is why I do not blame people that are complaining about the amount INEC estimated for 2015 election because they have little knowledge about its operations.’’ he said
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
LONDON (AFP) – Jose Mourinho has urged Chelsea to “enjoy the moment” and make sure they overtake at least one of their Premier League title rivals in Thursday’s traditional Boxing Day fixtures.
Swansea City are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on a day that also sees leaders Liverpool travel to Manchester City, who are in third place.
Just two points separate the top five, with Arsenal second, Chelsea fourth and Everton fifth.
“The best way to get the first objective, which is top four and Champions League (qualification), is to be close in the title race, so let’s enjoy the moment,” Mourinho said.
“I know Swansea are a good team with good players and a certain style of play, but we are two points behind and two title contenders are playing each other. It is important for us to win.”
Chelsea drew 0-0 at Arsenal on Monday, the day after Swansea had been beaten 2-1 at home by Everton.
“It is a bit more difficult for us because we played on Monday and our opponents played on Sunday, so they had one more day to rest — and one more day is a lot,” Mourinho added.
“But I hope Stamford Bridge is there for us. When I say Stamford Bridge I mean Stamford Bridge with noise, because last Boxing Day Chelsea were 11 points behind the leaders — Chelsea were out of the title race — and we are there now.
“We are two points behind both leaders, so we have reasons to keep going.”
Mourinho has not tasted a traditional English festive period of hectic fixture scheduling since 2006, having enjoyed winter breaks in Italy and Spain since then while in charge of Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
“I love it,” he said. “I don’t play, of course, so for the players it is more difficult than it is for me, but I always feel very proud to be working on Boxing Day and giving the people what they want.
“My wife and my kids, they are fantastic. They understand completely that I love to do it. They are in England, they are not with the Portuguese family.
“They miss their family, but they know that I have to do it and I am very happy to do it.”
Swansea’s hopes of recording a first victory in six Premier League games have been hit by the loss of forward Michu for six weeks.
The Spain international requires surgery on an ankle problem and the blow comes shortly after winger Nathan Dyer suffered a serious ankle injury at Norwich City.
“It’s not good news,” said manager Michael Laudrup.
“Unfortunately he will need an operation. It can be done in the next week and he should be back playing in around a month and a half.”
The growing injury problems mean Laudrup is reconsidering his approach to the January transfer window.
“What has happened in the last couple of weeks has changed things,” the Dane admitted.
“We will probably do something now in January and try to add something that we don’t have in certain positions. The numbers are a bit down and that is risky for the last four months of the season.”
Ben Davies, the Swansea left-back, has been rewarded for his impressive form with a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2017.
The 20-year-old said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision and it’s always great to sign a new deal and commit my future to the club.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Four people were reported killed yesterday by the police in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
Following the incidence, about 100 youths protested the killing and eventually dumped the bodies of two of the victims in front of the police station along Eket Oron Road.
An indigene of the area, who pleaded for anonymity, said that two other person shot by the police were rushed to the hospital, but died on the way.
The aggrieved youths disrupted activities in some parts of Eket. The protest caused traffic gridlock.
Shops were forced to close as the aggrieved youths, with cutlasses and other weapons in their hands, matched to the police station.
However, Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Mr. Etim Dickson, denied that the victims were killed by the police.
Dickson said that more security operatives had been deployed to calm the situation.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
BANGKOK (AFP) – Thai police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Thursday as clashes broke out with protesters trying to prevent political parties registering for elections, leaving dozens wounded and forcing officials to flee by helicopter.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has faced weeks of mass street rallies seeking to curb her family’s political dominance and install an unelected “people’s council” to oversee electoral reforms.
Fresh violence erupted as demonstrators tried to force their way into a sports stadium in the capital where representatives of about 30 political parties were gathered for the registration process for February 2 elections.
Thirty-two people were hospitalised, including one protester who was in a serious condition with an apparent gunshot wound to his head, a senior official at the public health ministry, Supan Srithamma, told AFP.
“It’s likely that he was shot by a live bullet,” he said.
Police said three of their officers were wounded including one who was struck by a bullet in his arm.
Security forces denied firing live rounds, saying only rubber bullets and tear gas were used against the demonstrators.
“Protesters are not peaceful and unarmed as they claimed,” deputy prime minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said in a televised address.
“They are intimidating officials and trespassing in government buildings.”
Several election commissioners were airlifted from the stadium by helicopter while other officials, party representatives and journalists were trapped inside.
Thailand has seen several bouts of political turmoil since Yingluck’s older brother Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as premier in a military coup in 2006.
His supporters have accused the protesters of trying to incite the military to seize power again, in a country which has seen 18 successful or attempted coups since 1932.
The political conflict broadly pits a Bangkok-based middle class and elite against rural and working-class voters loyal to Thaksin, who lives in self-exile.
The protesters accuse the billionaire tycoon-turned-politician of corruption and say he controls his sister’s government from his base in Dubai.
The unrest, which has drawn tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets, has left five people dead and more than 200 wounded.
It is the worst civil strife since 2010, when more than 90 civilians were killed in a bloody military crackdown on opposition protests against the previous government.
Yingluck has called a snap election for February 2 to try to resolve the deadlock, but the main opposition Democrat Party — which has not won an elected majority in about two decades — has vowed to boycott the vote.
The demonstrators have vowed to keep up their campaign to disrupt the polls, with protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban threatening to “shut down the country” to prevent people voting.
A second round of registrations for constituency candidates is due to begin at venues around the country on Saturday.
Yingluck’s Puea Thai party said it planned to field candidates in all constituencies, despite the prospect of further attempts by the opposition to disrupt the process, particularly in its southern strongholds.
“If there is a problem we have to fight,” Puea Thai leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan told AFP.
Thaksin is adored among rural communities and the working class, particularly in the north and northeast. But he is reviled by the elite, the Bangkok middle class and many southerners, who see him as corrupt and a threat to the revered monarchy.
Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election since 2001, most recently with a landslide victory under Yingluck two years ago.
The protesters want loosely-defined reforms — such as an end to alleged “vote buying” — before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.
Critics argue that the planned changes are only aimed at ending the opposition’s losing streak.
Yingluck on Wednesday proposed a “national reform council” made up of 499 representatives from various sectors to recommend constitutional amendments and economic and legal reforms, as well as anti-corruption measures.
But the protesters quickly rejected the idea, urging her to step down.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Leader of terrorist sect Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau again appeared in a video clip released by the sect on yesterday, claiming responsibility for last week’s attack in Benisheikh, Borno State, where about 160 people were maimed.
Previously, an erstwhile Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman in Borno State, Lt Col Sagir Musa, had in a statement on August 19, stated, “Intelligence report available to the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Restore Order revealed that Abubakar Shekau, the most dreaded and wanted terrorist leader, may have died.”
Musa had added that Shekau died of gunshot wounds received in an encounter with JTF operatives in one of their camps in Sambisa forest on June 30, 2013. “Shekau was mortally wounded in the encounter and was sneaked into Amitchide — a border community in Cameroon — for treatment from which he never recovered,” the JTF statement said.
However, a video was posted by the sect online , showing Shekau, who was clad in a military fatigue, rained invectives on his enemies: “Here I am, alive, hale and hearty. Sagir Musa should bury himself in shame, President Jonathan (of Nigeria) should bury himself in shame, President Obama (of United States of America) should bury himself in shame, and President Francois Hollande (of France) should bury himself in shame, Queen Elizabeth (of England) should bury herself in shame.
“They said I am dead, but here I am. The world should know that I am alive and will only die at the appointed time. Everybody should be judged according to the dictates of his conscience.
“What I am doing is written in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith and I will not stop. I challenge all the clerics of the world to question my deeds. Those underrating my capacity should have a re-think. I will never allow democracy to thrive.
“The concept of government of the people by the people for the people will never be possible and will never exist. Democracy shall be replaced only by the government of Allah, from Allah and for Allah.”
He stated the Nigerian military will never subdue his group. “Nigerian soldiers are late. After killing many of them in Monguno and Benisheik, we have snatched their armoured carriers and Hilux vans and then hoisted Islamic flags on them. We now move freely with them,” he said.
meanwhile, the Army Public Relations Unit said it would study the video clips that claimed someone who had died several weeks ago is alive.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Rapper Eldee went on social media a few hours ago to voice his support on the rights of gays in Africa eliciting a whirlwind on social media. He voiced his support following the post made by Mr Richard Branson CEO Virgin Group who posted…
Eldee had quickly followed suit with his own post
“Hopefully, one day soon, Africa will realize that the #anti-gay sentiment is no different from racial or religious discrimination. #RaceCreedSexualOrientation #Discrimination
His post is now trending hot on social media with majority of the comments suggesting Eldee may have burned himself this time;
“No elDee. I won’t hate u. Not yet. But th next time you speak, pls connect tongue to the brain. We are Africans and gay in all its ramifications is anti- Africans. Talking about free will to do what one pleases, I pray we won’t see that day when some group of over zealous psychos will advocate for the right to kill when u feel as to.” wrote a Jacob De Cleopas on a famous bloggers wall.
“I said it earlier, the devil in the last days will use idol figures in political, economical, media, religious, entertainment sector to influence and institute his own ideals in the world, watch out for them especially in the entertainment sector, it is a very vital sector for the devil to lead many away with too much wealth and make the world too attractive for you to bother about heaven, also easy to influence the youth with entertainment, u guys aint seen or heard nothing yet, more revelations to come, very soon most will reveal their logos” wrote another online commentator. But not all of the comments have swung hard at Eldee. A strong supporter wrote “I think he is right if you wanna love a goat its your problem and if you a gal and wants a gal then its your decision, nobody should force anybody into what they don’t want they will answer for themselves on judgement day…” Majority have called him out to take down the post on his wall but Eldee has made no further comments on the isuue and has not removed the post.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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